An Auckland man has been ordered to pay his former employer $7 million in damages - $1 million annually for a 7 year period. What could justify such a severe penalty being imposed on a single person? Can anyone really be liable for such a large sum of money? More...

Having just passed the middle of the year, there is opportunity for workplaces to organise “mid-winter Christmases” or similar events to celebrate workers surviving the trials and tribulations of six months at the coalface.

The responsibilities of employers around alcohol consumption at work parties have come into focus since the Australian Fair Work Commission ruled that an employee who drunkenly abused his bosses and co-workers was unfairly dismissed. More...

In a world where social media has an ever-increasing influence on business, employers need to thoroughly consider their stance on the intersection of the two. Employers and employees alike grapple with the changing world of technology. There are some key areas that everyone should have some understanding of. More...

Two recent health and safety cases highlight important lessons for employers to learn from.

Nathan Brooker suffered from profound intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia. He also suffered from epilepsy and was paralysed down the left side of his body.

On 10 January 2013 he was in the care of Idea Services. Idea Services is the service arm of the IHC. They provide individualised care to disabled people. IHC is a not for profit organisation, provides a wide range of services to over 750 group homes, and supports approximately over 7000 people. More...

The Employment Relations Authority has upheld a decision to dismiss an employee for failure to attend alcohol rehabilitation counselling. However, in a similar scenario where an employee tested positive for cannabis, the Authority ordered interim reinstatement. This apparent contradiction can strike readers as perverse... More...

Failing employment relationships may not always go out with a big bang. In some cases, a dysfunctional employment relationship may present itself simply by a host of small events which overall undermine the employment relationship. More...

It is human nature to keep secrets, but in the context of employment, to do so can prove harmful to both employer and employee. William Hart learnt this truth after being dismissed seven weeks into his employment with Printlounge Ltd for neglecting to disclose a string of past criminal convictions including the murder of a woman. More...

Cullen - The Employment Law Firm was one of the first eleven law firms in New Zealand approved to provide employment law services to Government and the public sector.